Theatre 3 reopens with brass tour

By Shari Goldstein Stern

If you and the family are planning to head over to Theatre Three (T3) June 3 through July 4 to see “The Music Man,” (MM) read the details. Performances of the six-time Tony award-winning musical is produced by T3, but the tour will begin June 3 and end July 4 at three different venues, each adhering to national guidelines intended to keep patrons COVID-safe. Each venue will host the upbeat, Meredith Wilson and Franklin Lacy musical on different dates.

When someone tells T3’s Artistic Director Jeffrey Schmidt that he still can’t open his theater after so many dark months, and that patrons can only attend a show outdoors, with space limited to a 12 sq. ft. area per ticket holder in a Dallas summer, Schmidt is up to the challenge. The eternal optimist is always ready to take risks. He procured three venues, located miles across D/FW, to host the productions under the Texas sky. 

T3’s MM opened Thursday night, June 3 at the Coppell Senior Center, at 345 W. Bethel Road, where it will run through June 13.  Following the Coppell production, the tour continues to Oak Lawn’s Union Coffee Shop, 3705 Cedar Springs June 16-27. The six-time Tony Award-winner, MM takes its final bow at Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park, 3601 MLK Boulevard June 30-July 4. T3 patrons will be happy to see so many familiar faces who have entertained them throughout the years. Audience favorite Kyle Igneczi will play Harold Hill; Zachary J. Willis, Kathryn Taylor Rose, Taylor Nash and Cody Dry join the ensemble. Rounding out the boutique cast are Alejandro Saucedo, Ania Lyons and Bwalya Chisanga.

A manipulative, albeit effective traveling salesman, Harold Hill, arrives in River City, Iowa, where he convinces the town’s gullible neighbors into spending their money on instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band, which Hill vows to organize. This 10-person production of the musical comedy has a new take on patriotism. Directed by Joel Ferrell and Music Director Vonda K. Bowling, this timeless musical features the classic, “76 Trombones,” “Ya Got Trouble” and the romantic ballad, “Goodnight my Someone.”

Veteran T3 actor Randy Pearlman is thrilled about the show, saying: “I was in the show in 1979 at Greenhill. This time, this gigantic show is being performed with only 10 actors, eight of them playing several different parts. My two main roles are Mayor Shinn and Mrs. Paroo.”

Theatre Three Artistic Director Jeffrey Schmidt said, “We are thrilled to be working with Joel and Vonda to create a piece of theater that is safe for our cast, crew, musicians and patrons.”

For more information about Theatre Three, “The Music Man” and each performance venue, visit: Theatre3Dallas.com or call the Theatre Three Box Office at 214-871-3300.